Jon Riewer’s brother is killed serving in Iraq

Former Cokato Manor administrator Jon Riewer lost his brother Greg Riewer, a National Guardsman serving in Iraq, March 23.

Greg Riewer, 28, was on patrol in Habbaniyah, Iraq March 23, when his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb. Three other men were injured in the incident, according to the Frazee Forum newspaper.

Riewer’s brother, Jon, appreciated the support from the Frazee community saying, “Nobody knows what to say. Sometimes the outreach means just a small pat on one’s back. You just know you’ve got a lot of support. Some of the most understated things mean the most to you,” according to the Frazee Forum.

Riewer was a part of the 136th Infantry, 34th infantry division based out of Bemidji. His hometown is Frazee, Minn. in northern Minnesota.

Riewer leaves behind 12 brothers and sisters and his father and mother, Richard and Janice Riewer.

The Riewers also have another son currently serving in the Guard, Greg’s younger brother, Andrew.

Andrew was scheduled to fly home from Iraq on Sunday night, according to National Public Radio.

Greg Riewer enlisted with the National Guard soon after graduating from Frazee High School in 1997 and served in Bosnia from 2003 to 2004. This was his first tour in Iraq. He was deployed in March 2006 as part of a company that provides support to the Second Marine Expeditionary Force. His unit is involved with training Iraqi soldiers, providing base security and combat support.

Greg was scheduled to come home this spring, but like other National Guard soldiers, his tour was extended.

In a statement on the Minnesota National Guard web site, Riewer’s mother, Janice, wrote. “A mother couldn’t ask for a better son; always loving, always caring, always there to help everyone.”

His father Richard, wrote, “With eight boys, one doesn’t want to lose any of them. He was always ready to help with whatever and never complained. I will miss him horribly.”

Riewer was unmarried and had no children. His funeral is planned for Wednesday, April 4.